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Many more could be added, but we feel that this list will be sufficient to make it clear
that there is an appreciable difference between the economy obtaining from Pentecost to
Acts 28:, and that commencing at the close of Acts 28: and still continuing, which
is called by Paul "The dispensation of the grace of God to you-ward" (Gentiles).
It will be remembered that in our last paper we found that in I Cor. 12: the one body
was explained as being "partial," in contrast with the "fulness" of Eph. 1: 23. Upon
examining this subject more closely we shall see that during the pentecostal or
transitional period, the essential elements of the one body are found scattered through
these earlier epistles, but not gathered together and invested with the new and full
meaning, as is the case in Ephesians. The unity of the Spirit, one hope of our calling, one
Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father. In this wonderful seven-fold unity
the triune God is given His place.
In I Cor. 12: 4-6, in connection with the diversities, administrations, and operations of
the gifts which formed the basis of the ecclesiastical body of I Cor. 12: 12-27, we read
that it is the same Spirit, the same Lord, and the same God who worketh all in all. In
verse 13 we read, "For by one Spirit are we baptized into one body." In I Cor. 8: 6 we
read, "Unto us one God, the Father. . . . and one Lord, Jesus Christ." In I Cor. 13: 13
we read, "And now abideth faith, hope, and love." The words printed in italics are the
seven wonderful components of the unity of the Spirit, not yet, however, brought together
in order, nor invested with their higher meaning.
I Cor. 12:
4. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
12. For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many,
are one body: so also is Christ.
13. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be
bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
14. For the body is not one member, but many.
15. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
16. And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the
body?
17. If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the
smelling?
18. But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
19. And if they were all one member, where were the body?
20. But now are they many members, yet but one body.
21. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have
no need of you.
22. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
23. And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more
abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
24. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more
abundant honour to that part which lacked:
25. That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for
another.
26. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the
members rejoice with it.
27. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.